Automatic block-turning machine



Sept. 10, 1929 c. G. WERNMARK 1,727,846

AUTOMATIC BLOCK TURNING MAC HINE Filed Aug 1'5, 192'! s Sheets-Sheet 1 IINVENTOR 41 07! ATTORNEY Sept. 10, I929. c, WERNMARK 1,727,846

AUTOMATIC BLOCK TURNING MACHINE Sept. 10, 1929. c, WERNMARK 1,727,846

I AUTOMATIC BLOCK TURNING MACHINE Filed Aug. 15, 1927 3 Sheets-Shget 3INVENTOR [Jr] 6. BY

j %EY Patented Sept. 10, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT reme.

CARL G. WERNMARK, OF WALLA WALLA, VTASHING'ION, ASSIGNOR OF'ONE-HALF TOFILL N. ESTES, OF WALLA WALLA, WASHINGTON.

AUTOMATIC BLOCK-TURNING MACHINE.

Application filed August 15, 1927. Serial No 212,898.

This invention relates to automatic block turning machines, moreparticularly a machine adapted to turn Wooden heels as used in the shoeindustry.

One of the objects ofthis invention is to provide an automatic machinethat will form turned heels in pairs from a given pattern form wherebythe pairs of heels are identical in form and weight.

Another object of the invention is to provide an automatic machine thatmay constitute a multiplicity of heel turning units all governed by asingle pattern form.

A further object of the invention is to provide an automatic'machinethat is adapted to use various forms of patterns by the properadjustment of theparts.

With these and other objects in view reference is now made to theaccompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of the blockturning machine as designed to turn four blocks simultaneously Fig. 2 isa side elevation taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1, showing the chute andits op erating mechanism;

F 3 is a sectional elevation taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1 showing thespur center rotating mechanism and shifting means Fig. 4- is a frontelevation of a fragment of the machine;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged View of oneof the cen tering mechanisms;

Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation of one ofthe centers showing its slidingarrangement;

Fig. 7 is an end elevation of a plate adapted to fit into and adjustthechute to accommodate other forms of'blocks shown inrelation to the chute(dotted);

Fig. 8 is a perspective view thereof;

Fig. 9 is a transverse view of that part of Fig. 2 showing the chute inits retracted posit-ion; and j Fig. 10 is a perspective view of theyoke.

Having reference to the drawings like numerals refer to like partsthroughout the several views and the numeral 1 refers to a frameconsisting of the usual uprights 2 and crosspieces 3.

Rotatably mounted in the cross-pieces of the frame is a laterallypositioned carriage rail 4 extending throughout the lateral'length ofthe frame andmountedon this rail isa reciprocating tool carriage 5 that,in addition to sliding back and forth thereon, is adapted to rock inavertical plane for appurpose to be explained. A counter-balance 6 ismounted ,on the car riage and is positioned with respect to the fulcrum,i. e. the carriage rail 4, to balance the forwardly extending partsconsisting of the main table 7 and forwardly extending arms 8 in whichare suitably journaled a'tool shaft 9 to be hereinafter described.

A main shaft 10 is rotatably mounted in and extends laterally of theframe and may be driven in anysuitable manner, as a prime mover notshown, and a c'ross-shaft- 11 connects the main shaft with the carriagerail 4-, for the rotation of that member," prefer ably by means ofupright shafts 12 suitably journaled in and supported by the frame.

As these shafts 10, 11,;and .12, operate the reciprocating means of saidcarriage, and as the reciprocating movement of said carriage, isrelatively slow, worms 13 and worm-gears 14 are/mounted msmawnym theseshafts in engageable relation and are used to reduce the speed ,ofthereciprocating mechanism which will now be described] The reciprocatingmechanism consists of a screwthreaded shaft 15 formed as part of thecarriage rail 4 with its threads running in two directions, andalternately engaging this screwthreaded shaft are internally threadedsegments 16 securelymounted in yokes 17 for movement therewith toalternately engage or disengage the respective threadson said rail, andslidably secured in the yoke are hearings or sleeves 18 having a commoncenter, both of which bearings are adjustably and securely mounted on aguide-shaft 19 secured to the carriage by hangers 18 as shown or in anysuitable manner with said yokes being adapted to alternately slidebackward or forward on the hearings to threadedly engage the segmentswith said screwthreaded shaft 15.

To move the yokes 17 at a predetermined time and in synchronizedrelation to the other parts of the machine, to be explained,

a tripping rail 2Ov is provided having a segmental track 21 common tothe respective yolres, with yielding members 22 attached to the side ofthe rail-20, at opposite ends of said track to alternately engage theyokes as they approach either end of the track to suddenly move the yokewhen it comes to the end of thetraclr thereby causing the yolre toengage or disengage the screwthreaded shaft 15 through the medium of thethreaded segments and thus provide for alternate right or left, orreciprocating movement of said carriage.

Obviously the tripping rail must remain stationary with respect to thereciprocating movement of the carriage and for this purpose the trippingrail is secured to the rail i by an arm 21, anda collar 21 adapted toprevent its tendency to longitudinal movement.

' The yoke is provided with a roller 22 secured thereto and positionedto register alternately with the respective sides of the track as theyoke is moved backward or forward by the yielding members 22, the rollerand the track thus serving to lock the respective segments both into orout of engagement with the threads'of the screwthreaded shaft. 7

Mounted on the tool shaft 9 are cutting tools 23, one tool for eachblock (to be hereinafter explained), and these tools consist preferablyof wheels having their perimeters formedto constitute a multiplicity ofcutting edges. Shifting collars 24 are also adjustably mounted on saidshaft 9, for a purpose to be explained. r

In a turning operation it is a recognized fact that either the articleto be turned must rotate with high rate of speed or, as where a drillingoperation takes place, the tool must operate at a relatively high rat-eof speed. In this case the tools are rotated at a relatively high speedand independently of other parts of the machine by the preferred meansof a motor 25 mounted on and traveling with said carriage and suitablyconnected with said tool shaft by a belt 26 or equivalent means.

Mounted on ,the carriage 5, preferably looselyr upon the tool shaft 9thereof, is a pilot wheel 27; preferably of equal diameter with thecutting tools, and its face 28 is rounded to conform with the cuttingedges of the toois and the pilot wheel is positioned in alignment withsaid cutting tools, for a purpose to be explained.

A bed'rail 29 extends laterally of and is secured to the frame 1 in anysuitable manner, and a bed plate 30, also extended laterally andparalleling the rail, is situated centrally of theframe, and the bedrail and bed plate form a bed on which one or more relatively low speedcentering mechanisms 31 are slidably supported for lateral adjustment.

The number of these mechanisms is only limited by the length of thecarriage, this in. turn limiting the length of the tool shaft, and thisthe number of centering mechanisms sup orted by said bed.

The mechanisms 31 consist of a table 32 mounted on and supported by thebed rail and bed plate respectively in which table is mounted spurcenters 33 the centers being adapted to rotate by means of a square orspline shaft 3 on which the centers are slidably mounted, and beingadapted to slide in opposed directions, by shifting levers 35 consistingof a main lever 36 pivotally at tached to the top of the mechanisms, asat 36*, and extended rearwardly to terminate in an elongated sleeve 37curved to form an arc, the radius of which extends from the center ofthe carriage rail 4, and the main lever 36 is extended forward forengagement with a hand operated, laterally positioned, rod 38 wherewiththe shifting of the centers may be done manually. A secondary lever 39is also pivotally attached to the table at the rear end thereof and isextended forward and terminates in a cross-arm 40 which joins the twolevers for united action, whereby an advancing or retracting movement ofthe opposed centers is accomplished simultaneously. Where the levers areautomatically operated the collars 24 on the tool shaft 9 are set toproperly engage the sleeve 37 of the main lever 36 when the carriage isin one position while the shoulder 41 of the tool will engage the sleevewhen the carriage 5 is in the opposite position. By this means it isobvious that as the carriage performs its reciprocating movement itautomatically advanoes and retracts the centers to engage or disengagethe blocks 42 to be turned.

This movement of the shifting means 35 also acts to start or stop therotation of the centers as follows; the driving means for said centersconsists of a worm 43 mounted on and operable by means of the main shaft10, and a worm gear 4% mounted on a drive shaft e5 extended rearwardly,with this shaft carrying a worm 45 engageable with a worm wheel 46mounted on the square shaft 34, with a clutch 47 inserted in said driveshaft.

Now, to stop the rotation of the centers, it is necessary to disengagethe clutch and for this purpose a bell crank 48 is provided which ispivoted to the table 32 with one arm 48* of the crank engaging thedriving clutch 47 to slidably operate that member, and with the otherarm 48* extended forward to pivotallv engage the main shifting lever, asat 48 whereby as said shifting lever is moved by the reciprocatingmovement of the carriage the clutch will become disengaged as thecenters are retracted and released from the block, and their rotationwill then cease. Obvious ly, the reverse movement will serve to startthe rotation of said centers.

, Obviously with the centering mechanism resting on the bed the saidspur centers are in line, and to control and guide the movement of thetools a form-holding spur center 49 is suitably mounted on said bedin'any approved manner and in aligned and rotatable relation with thespur centers of the centering mechanisms, with a wood center suitablyaligned and mounted for manual operation in the usual manner of suchcenters to secure a pattern form 51.

The pattern form may be of any shape within the limits of this machine,but in this case it consists of a form of the nature of a pair of heelsjoined together at their inner-faces, with the form positioned tofrictionally engage, and rotate the pilot wheel 27, in a manner that thepilot wheel which is loosely mounted on the tool shaft 9 will followprecisely the contour of said pattern form, whereby the cutting toolswill be guided in their operation. v '1 For this purpose the centeringmechanism 31 operates at a relatively low speed and by this means thepattern rotates slowly and raises and lowers the pilot wheel with a slowmovement, as the carriage, and with it the cutting tools, arereciprocating back and forth, and, at the same time, the blocks 42 arerotated in synchronized relation with the form,

As the blocks and the form 51 have a relatively long major axis and arelativelyshort minor axis it is obviously essential that the major axisof the block and form have the same position and the same angleofinclina tion initially.

For this purpose a feeding chute 52 is provided that is pivotallymounted on the up right 54, which in turn is supported by said bed rail29, for slidable adjustment thereon, with the chute positioned initiallywith its discharge end 58 interposed between the spur centers of theadjacent mechanisms, and with its form adapted to coincide with thecontour of the blocks.

This initial position of the chute provides for the true disposition andinclination of the block as the centers are advanced for the purpose ofgripping said block,fand arms 53 are provided rigidly attached to andmovable with one of said chutes and extended to engage said patternform, as the chuteassumes its initial position (the pattern form comingto rest at the moment that the chute assumes this position), with thearms engaging the long side of the pattern form, thereby causing thepattern formto assume the identical angle of inclination with the blockat the initial moment of being seized by said centers.

Let it be here understood that while the chute has been described aspositioned between the spsur centers of adjacent mecha nisms it isobvious that the two outside chutes will be adjacent to the centeringmechanism on one side only and that while spur centers are expressedthroughout, a wood center will obviously be used at the right side ofthe right-hand block. I a

The feeding chute 52 is pivotally mounted on an upright 54 supported bythe bed rail 29 as above mentioned and isadapted to retire its dischargeend as the centers seize theblock ina manner-to beexplained, and acurved arm 55 is provided, preferably attached to the upright 54: in aposition that its upper end will passthrough an orifice 56 in the bottom57 of said chute as the chute is retired. By, so doing this curved armengages the first of succeeding blocks and as the chute is retired itpresses these blocks backward to provide for the free movement of theblock (secured in the centers) during the turning operation;

The chute 52 is retired by meansof clutch controlled cams 58 positionedin operable contiguity with the respective chutes, the cam shaft 59beingdriven by a cross-shaft 60 from the main shaft 10, by anysuitablegearing, as 60 and 60 and mountinga clutch ,61 which is automaticallyreleased and engaged in the following manner; the clutch is mounted onthe cam-shaft, and a bell crank ,62 is pivotally attached to the table32 of the mechanism, and has one end in operable association with thecam clutch while the other end is operably .4

associated with the aforementioned driving clutch 4L7.

From the above it is obvious that as the shifting levers 35 (includinglevers 36 and 39) are shifted to release the lowermost of the blocks 42the bell crank will operate to disconnect the driving clutch 4:7 and asa result the rotation of the centers will cease, and as this drivingclutch moves for dlsengagement it actuates the cam clutch ,61, throughthe bell crank v62, which becomes engaged to ret1rethechute by movingthe cam in a manner to permit the discharge end of the chute to lower bygravity. i

It is also obvious that as the cam completes is revolution, the chutewill be restored to its initial position, then with the movement of thecarriage synchronized to operable relation with the driving mechanism,thespur centers will be caused to seize the blocks and start theirrotation, and the chute will then again retire, the cam clutch remainingdisengaged until the completion of the turning operation, when theoperation will be repeated.

A stop 63 is provided at the lower end of the chute against which theblocks rest in their initial position preparatory to turning, and, whileother chutes may be substituted to receive blocks of a differentcross-section it is advisable that an adjusting plate64 having its ownstop 63 be provided to rest in the bottom of said chute, as a substitutetherefor,to change the lateral inclinationthereof to,ac-'

commodate the diflerent blocks.

From the above it now becomes obvious 'llO r by gravity.

that the blocksshould first be sawed from a stick to assume a generaloutline of the frustum of a cone and with the major and minor axes equalto or slightly in excess of the similar axes of the pattern block.

I Now, with a prime mover such as a motor or gas engine, (not shown)attached to the main shaft 10 by means of the pulleys (which may includea clutch if desired) the main driving shaft 10 is rotated and the wormwheel 14 mounted thereon rotates one of the vertical shafts 12 throughits worm 13 which in turn rotates the cross shaft 11, and this shaftcommunicates the motion and power to a separate vertical shaft 12 andthat shaft in turn rotates the carriage rail 4 by means ofthe worm-wheellt associated with the rail 4 for the purpose.

While worms and worm-wheels are herein specified it is for the purposeof showing only that the mechanism associated with the turning of theblock is to be provided with a slow motion and hence, other means maybeused if desired. This reduction of speed is done primarily to giverelatively slow motion to the pattern block so that the movementimparted to the pilot wheel thereby will be uniform and accurate.

On the other hand the carriage also has a slow (reciprocating) movement,and by means of an independent motor mounted thereon and suitablyconnected to the tool shaft a high speed may be obtained and imparted tothe cutting tools whereby those tools may function properly to work theblocks to a form corresponding to the pattern form during the course ofoperation.

The blocks now being sawed to the proper shape they are slidablyinserted into the chute, the chute now having an inclined position forthe purpose of bringing the block to the initial position, preparatoryto turning,

By referring to Fig. 1 it will be noted that the pattern forms have aprojecting surface in excess of the width of the block and this surfaceprovides a support for the pilot wheel to maintain the cutting tools ina position free of contacting any metal parts when these cutting toolshave reached the maximum reciprocating movement. By this means the cutting tools may operate on the blocks either from right'to leftor left toright, as desired by the operator, although it will probably be foundadvantageous to start the turning operation on the apex of the block andmove thence to the base.

lVith the blocks now inserted and with the cutting tools in positionshown in 1 it will now be assumed that the hopper is retiring. As thehopper retires the arms 53 release the pattern form at the moment thespur centers seize the block and at this moment the driving clutch isengaged and the blocks and the pattern forms begin their uniformrotation.

From this moment the carriage will proceed to the right and the cuttingtools will engage the blocks in conformity to the contour of the patternform, the tools rising and lowering to travel as guided by the pilotwheel, until finished as shown in Fig. t, with the pilot wheel restingon the projecting surface of the pattern form.

It is now plain that with this method of guiding the tools and with themovement of the block synchronized with the movement of the tool thatthe finished block Will be identical in general outline to that of theform.

It is now evident that the length of the machine and the numberofcentering units and cutting tools have no limit except the limit ofeconomical construction.

By referring to Fig. 2 the dotted lines represent the retired positionof the hopper and 66 represents a discharge chute into which the turnedblocks will drop as they are released from the spur centers.

Obviously the blocks will be severed in two, and finishing will becompleted out ofthe machine.

Having thus claim:

1. An automatic block turning machine comprising a frame, a carriagerockably mounted on said frame, a main driving shaft rotatably mountedin said frame, means associated with the main driving shaft toreciprocate said carriage, atool shaft mounted on said carriage andprovided with cutting tools, a pilot wheel carried by said carriage, aplat rality of centering mechanisms supportedby said frame, spur centersrotatably and slid ably mounted in said mechanisms, means to advance orretract said centers simultaneour- 1y, means to rotate said centers,pattern form holding centers mounted on said frame and aligned androtatable with said spur centers, a pattern form mounted in said lastvnamed centers and positioned to frictionally engage and rotate saidpilot wheel to guide the cutting tools to automatically follow thecontour of said pattern form, a feeding chute pivotally and adjustablymounted on said frame'and initially positioned with its discharge endinterposed between the said spur centers, and means to automaticallyretire said chute to permit the turning of the block.

2. An automatic block turning machine comprising a frame, a laterallypositioned carriage rail rotatably mounted in said frame, a carriagerockably mounted on said rail, a main driving shaft rotatably mounted insaid frame, means to automatically reciprocate said carriage, a toolshaft mounted on said carriage and provided with cutting tools, means toindependently operate said shaft, a pilot wheel idly mounted on saidshaft, a

described my invention I bed formed on said frame, a plurality ofcentering mechanisms supported by said bed and adapted for laterallyspaced adjustment, opposed spur centers rotatably and slidably mountedin said mechanisms, means to automatically advance or retract saidcenters simultaneously, a clutch controlled driving means associatedwith the main shaft to rotate said centers, pattern form holding centersmounted on said bed and aligned and rotatable with said spur centers, apattern form engageable in said form holding cen ters and positioned tofrictionally engage and rotate said pilot Wheel to automatically guidethe cutting tools to follow the contour of said pattern form, a feedingchute pivotally and adj ustably mounted on said bed and initiallypositioned with its discharge end interposed between the said spurcenters, a laterally positioned cam shaft rotatably mounted in saidframe and adapted to automatically retire said chute during the turningof the block, and means associated with the main driving shaft to rotatesaid cam shaft.

32. An automatic block turning machine comprising a frame, a laterallypositioned carriage rail rotatably mounted in said frame, a carriagerockably mounted on said rail, a main driving shaft rotatably mounted insaid frame, means to automatically reciprocate said carriage, turningtools mounted on said carriage, means tofoperate said tools independentof the machine, a pilot wheel idly mounted on said carriage, a bedformed on said frame, a plurality of centering mechanisms supported bysaid bed and adapted for laterally spaced adjustment, opposed spurcenters rotatably and slidably mounted in said mechanisms, means toadvance or retract said centers automatically with the reciprocatingmovement of said cutting tools, a clutch controlled driving meansassociated with the main driving shaft to rotate said centers, a patternform holding spur center mounted on said bed and aligned and rotatablewith the spur centers of the centering mechanisms, and a manuallyadjustable wood center aligned to rotatably support a pattern form, saidpattern form being located to frictionally engage and rotate said pilotwheel to automatically guide the cutting tools to follow the contour ofsaid pattern form, a cam operated feeding chute pivotally and adjustablymounted on said bed andinitially positioned with itsdischarge endinterposed between the spur centers of adjacent mechanisms, a laterallypositioned cam shaft rotatably mounted on said frame and adapted toautomatically retire said chute during the turning of the block, andmeans associated with the main driving shaft to rotate said cam shaft.

4:. An automatic block turning machine comprising a frame, a laterallypositioned carriage rail rotatably mounted in said frame, a counterbalanced tool carriage reciprocally and rockably mounted on said rail, amain driving shaft rotatably mounted in said frame, a cross shaftconnected'with the said tools independent of machine, a pilot 0Q wheelidly mounted on said tool shaft, a bed formed on said frame, a pluralityof Gen tering mechanisms supportedby said bed and adapted for laterallyspaced adjustment,

opposed spur centersyrotatably and slidably mounted in said mechanisms,a shifting means operable with the reciprocating carriagetoautomatically advance or retract, and stop the rotation of said centers,a clutch controlled driving means associated with the 1;;

main driving shaft to rotate said centers, a form holding spur centermounted on said bed and allgned and rotatable with the spur centers ofthe centering mechanisms and a manually adjustable wood center alignedto rotatably support a pattern form, said pa" tern form being located tofrictionally engage and rotate said pilotwheel to'automatically guidethe cutting tools to follow the contour of said pattern form, acamoperated feeding chute pivotally and adjustably mounted on said bed andinitially positioned with its discharge end interposed between the spurcenters of adjacent mechanisms, means operable withthe shifting means tocontrol the retiring action of said chute and means to automaticallyretire said chute during the turning of the block.

5. An automaticblock turning machine comprising a frame, a laterallypositioned carriage rail rotatably mounted in said frame, a toolcarriage reciprocally and rockably mounted on said rail, aimain drivingshaft rotatably mounted in said frame, means associated with said railto automatically re ciprocate said carriage, a tool shaft mounted onsaid carriage and provided with cutting tools, means to operate saidtool shaft independent of said machine, a pilot wheel idly mounted onsaid tool shaft, a bed formed on said frame, a, plurality of centeringmechanisms supported by said bed and adapted for laterally spacedadjustment, opposed spur centers rotatably and slidably mounted in saidmechanisms, leversmounted on said centering mechanisms and operable withreciprocating movement of said carriage to provide a shifting means toautomatically advance or retract, and start or stop the rotation of saidcenters with the movement of said shifting means, a form holding spurcen ter mounted on said bed and aligned androtatable with the spurcenters of the centering mechanisms, and a manually adjustable woodcenter aligned to rotatably support a patter form, said pattern formbeing located foo to-frictionally engage and rotate said pilot wheel toautomatically guide the cutting tools to follow the contour of saidpattern form, a cam operated feeding chute pivotallyi and adjustablymounted on said bed and initially positioned with its discharge endinterposed between the spur centers of adjacent mechanisms, clutchoperated cams positioned in operable contiguity vwith the respectivechutes and operable with the shifting means to automatically retire andrestore said chutes to their initial positions.

6. An automatic block turning machine comprising a frame, a laterallypositioned carriage rail rotatably mounted in said frame, a toolcarriage reciprocally and rockably mounted on said rail, a main drivingshaft rotatably mounted in said frame, an automatic reciprocatingmechanism attached to said carriage, a tool shaft mounted on saidcarriage and provided with cutting tools, adjustably positioned shiftingcollars mounted on said shaft, means mounted on said carriage to operatesaid tools independent of said machine, a pilot wheel idly mounted onsaid tool shaft, a bed formed on said frame, a multiplicity of'centeringmechanisms supported by and adapted for laterally spaced adjustment onsaid bed, and provided with opposed spur centers rotatably and slidablymounted therein, a shifting means for said centers comprising leversmounted on the centering mechanisms and operable with the shiftingcollars to automatically advance or retract said centers, means attachedto said levers to stop or 'start the rotation of said centers with therespective movement of said shifting means, form holding centersadjustably mounted on said bed in, aligned and rotatable associationwith the centering mechanisms, a pattern form carried by said last namedcenters and adapted to frictionally engage and rotate said pilot wheel"to raise and lower thetool shaft to guide the cutting tools in a pathidentical with the contour of said pattern form, an automatr callyretirable cam operated feeding chute pivotally and adjustably mounted onsaid bed and initially positioned with its discharge end interposedbetween the spur'centers of adjacent mechanisms, and means to controlthe rotation of said cams in synchronized relation to the rotating meansof said centers.

7 An automatic block turning machine comprising a frame,a laterallypositioned carriage railrotatably mounted in said frame, a tool carriagereciprocally and rockably mounted on said rail, a main driving shaftrotatably mounted in saidframe, segments operably attached to saidcarriage and associated with said rail to automatically reciprocate saidcarriage, a tool shaft mountedon said carriage and provided with cuttingtools, adjustably positioned shifting collars mounted on said shaft,means mounted on said carsaid machine, a pilot wheel idly mounted onsaid tool shaft, a bed formed on said frame, a multiplicity of centeringmechanisms supported'by andadapted for laterally spaced adjustment onsaid bed, and provided with opposed spur centers rotatably and slidablymounted therein, a shifting means for said centers comprising leversmounted on the centering mechanisms and operable with the shiftingcollars to automatically advance or retract said centers, means toautomatically rotate or stop the rotation of said centers with theadvancing or retracting movement respec- 'riage to operate said toolsindependent of.

tively of said centers, form holding centers adjustably mounted on saidbed in aligned and rotatable relation with the centering mechanisms, apattern form carried by said last named centers and adapted tofrictionally engage and rotate said pilot Wheel to raise and lower thetool shaft wherewith to guide the cutting tools in a path identical tothe contour of saidpattern form, an automatically retirable feedingchute pivotally and adjustably mounted on said bed and initiallypositioned with its discharge end interposed between the spur centers ofadjacent mech anisms, clutch controlled cams positioned in operablecontiguity with the respective chutes and a bell crank operably mountedon the clutch and operable by means of the shifting levers toautomatically control the movement of said chute insynchronized relationto the rotating means of said centers.

comprising a frame, a laterally positioned carriage rail rotatablymounted in said frame, a tool carriage reciprocally and rockablymounted'on said rail, a main driving shaft rotatably mounted in saidframe, segments operably attached to said carriage and associated withsaid rail to automatically reciprocate said carriage, a tool shaftmounted on said carriage and provided with cutting tools, adjustablypositioned shifting collars mounted on said shaft, means mounted on saidcarriage to operate said tools independ ent of said machine, a pilotwheel idly mount-e ed on said tool shaft, 21 bed formed on said frame, amultiplicity of centering mechanisms supported by and adapted forlaterally spaced adjustment on said bed, and provided 8. An automaticblock turning machine with opposed spur centers rotatably and,

slidably mounted therein, a shiftingmeans for said centers comprisinglevers mounted on the centering mechanisms and operable with theshifting collars to automatically advance or retract said centers, abell crank attached to said levers and associated with a clutch to stopor start therotation of said centers with the respective movement ofsaid levers, form holding centers adjustably mounted on said bed inaligned and rotatable relation with the centering mechanisms, a

pattern form carried by said last named centers and adapted tofrictionally engage and rotate said pilot Wheel to raise and lower thetool shaft wherewith to guide the cutting tools in a path identical tothe contour of said pattern form, an automatically retirable feedingchute pivotally and adjustably mounted on said bed and initiallypositioned with its discharge end interposed between the spur centers ofadjacent mechanisms, and a laterally positioned cam shaft rotatablymounted in said frame and provided with cams positioned in operablecontiguity with the respective chutes and adapted to retire said chuteduring the turning of the block in sychronized relation with therotating means of said centers.

9. An automatic block turning machine comprising a frame, and thecombination of a laterally positioned carriage rail rotatably mounted insaid frame, a tool carriage reciprocally and rockably mounted on saidrail, a main driving shaftrotatably mounted in said frame, segmentsopera-bly attached to said carriage and associated with said rail toautomatically reciprocate said carriage, a tool shaft mounted on saidcarriage and provided with cutting tools, adjustably positioned shiftingcollars mounted on said shaft, means mounted on said carriage to operatesaid tools independent of said machine, a

pilot wheel idly mounted on said tool shaft,,

a bed formed on said frame, a multiplicity of centering mechanismssupported by and adapted for laterally spaced adjustment on said bed,and provided with opposed spur centers rotatably and slidably mountedthere- I in, a shifting means for said centers comprising levers mountedon the centering mechanisms and operable with theshifting collars toautomatically advance or retract said centers, a bell crank attached tosaid levers and associated with a clutch to stop or start the rotationof said centers with the respective movement of said levers, formholding centers adjustably mounted on said bed in aligned and rotatablerelation with the centering mechanisms, a pattern form carried by saidlast named centers and adapted to frictionally engage and rotate saidpilot wheel to raise or lower the tool shaft where- With to guide thecutting tools in a path identical to the contour of said pattern form,an automatically retirable feeding chute ivotally and adjustably mountedon said ed and initially positioned with its discharge end interposedbetween the spur centers of adjacent mechanisms, a stop on said chute,means to automatically hold the oncoming blocks during theturning-operation, means to adjust said hopper to other forms of blocks,anda laterally positioned cam shaft rotatably mounted in said frame andprovided with cams positioned in operable contiguity with the respectivechutes and adapted to retire said chutes during the turning of the blockin synchronized relation with the rotating means of said centers.

10. An automatic block turning machine comprising a frame, and thecombination of a laterally positioned carriage rail rotatably mounted insaid frame, a tool carriage reciprocally and rockably mounted on saidrail, a main driving shaft rotatably mounted in said frame, segmentsoperably attached to said carriage and associated with said rail toautomatically reciprocate said carriage, a tool shaft mounted on saidcarriage to operate said tools independent of said machine, a pilotwheel idly mounted on said tool shaft, a bed formed on said frame, amultiplicity of centering mechanisms supported by and adapted forlaterally spaced adjustment on said bed, and provided with opposed spurcenters rotatably and slidably mounted therein, a shifting means forsaid centers comprising levers mounted on the centering mechanisms andoperable with the shifting collars to auto matically advance or retractsaid centers, a bell crank attached to said levers and associated with aclutch to stop or start the rot-ation of said centers with therespective movement of said levers, form holding centers adjustablymounted on said bed in aligned and rota-table relation with thecentering mechanisms, a pattern form carried by said last named centersand adapted to frictionally engage and rotate said pilot wheel to raiseor lower the tool shaft wherewith to guide the cutting tools in a pathidentical to the contour of said pattern form, an automaticallyretirable feeding chute pivotally and adjust-ably mounted on said bedand initially positioned with its discharge end interposed between thespur centers of adjacent mechanisms, means attached to and movable withsaid chute and adapted to engage the pattern form to maintain thatmember in angular alignment with the initial position of said block.

In testimony whereof I aliiX my signature.

CARL G. WERNMARK.

